Construction of Russia-ordered helicopter-carrier begins in France
ZHUKOVSKY, near Moscow. June 29 (Interfax) - The construction of a Mistral-type helicopter for Russia has got underway in France, state arms trader Rosoboronexport's deputy general director Igor Sevastyanov told the press.
"The contract has been signed and the first phase - metal cutting - has got underway," he told the press at the second international forum on machine-building technologies.
"Russian and French specialists are cooperating to fulfill the task set by the two presidents," Sevastyanov said.
A contract for the construction of two landing vessels in France was signed on June 17, 2011. According to unofficial reports, the price of one ship is around 600 million euro. Russia reportedly wants to procure two more Mistrals that will be built on Russian territory.
The Mistral multifunctional helicopter carrier has a standard displacement of 16,500 tonnes, a length of 199 meters, a beam of 32 meters and a draft of 6.2 meters. The maximum speed is 18.8 knots, and the range is 19,800 miles.
The ship can carry 16 helicopters (including eight landing helicopters and eight assault helicopters). Six helicopters can be placed on the ship's deck simultaneously. The ship can also carry four light landing cutters or two hydrofoil landing cutters.
